A self-portrait created in 1940 by renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was auctioned in New York, fetching a record-breaking $54.7 million US ($77 million Cdn) and setting a new benchmark as the most expensive artwork by a female artist. The painting, titled “El sueño (La cama)” or “The Dream (The Bed)” depicts Kahlo asleep in a bed and surpassed the previous record held by Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1” sold for $44.4 million US in 2014.
Previously, the highest auction price for a Kahlo piece was $34.9 million US (then $43.7 million Cdn) paid in 2021 for “Diego and I,” a portrayal of Kahlo alongside her husband, Diego Rivera. While her works in Mexico are considered national treasures and protected from being sold abroad or destroyed, this particular self-portrait was part of a private collection with undisclosed ownership and is legally eligible for international sale.
The painting, symbolizing Kahlo’s anxiety, portrays her asleep in a colonial-style bed suspended in the clouds, wrapped in a golden blanket amidst crawling vines and leaves, with a skeleton figure enveloped in dynamite hovering above her. Kahlo, known for vividly capturing her life experiences, began painting following a life-altering bus accident at 18, underwent numerous surgeries, and spent years bedridden exploring themes of mortality and existence.
Despite being part of surrealist art auctions featuring works by Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Max Ernst, and Dorothea Tanning, Kahlo resisted being categorized as a surrealist, emphasizing that she painted her reality rather than dreams. The painting has garnered attention from art historians and enthusiasts globally, sparking discussions on cultural significance and public accessibility, with upcoming exhibitions planned in major cities like New York, London, and Brussels.
Sotheby’s described the painting as a contemplation on the thin line between sleep and death, with the suspended skeleton representing Kahlo’s deep-seated fears of dying during sleep due to her chronic pain and traumatic past. This artistic masterpiece has drawn admiration for its introspective portrayal and continues to serve as a poignant reflection of Kahlo’s inner struggles and resilience.